Writer conferences involve time, energy and money. They can help you improve your writing skills. Through writer's conferences, you begin to form some editor relationships. However, skepticism reigns when it comes to laying out a hundred bucks and up for a day or more of listening, schmoozing, and meeting others. Can a writers' conference really pay off more than the same time spent reading, browsing through the Writer’s Market, or Web surfing? If so, how? Like everything else, it all depends on your commitment to the craft and how you follow up. Participating in a writer conference is of little use if you do nothing to follow up on your writing and contacts after the workshop is over.

Prior to participating in a writer conference, do your homework. Know who will be attending the conference and read in advance what a particular editor needs and acquires. Even the Writer's Market Guide is a good place to start. Then craft an idea or a proposal. The key is to be able to offer the editor something that they are looking for. Editors read lots of stuff that they don't need at these conferences.

Often at these conferences, editors and agents are inundated with the wrong material. This is because writers haven't done their homework. At a writer's conference, you meet the editors face to face. You will realize that they are also real people. This personal contact can be priceless.

A smart choice is to befriend editors of different fields. Let’s say you write about cars. Sure, it would be a good idea to meet editors of automotive magazines, but don’t forget to meet editors of travel, food, and floral magazines as well. It is always good to diversify your areas of interests and get to know editors of other fields also. What you write this year may change next year.

Even if you've never written a book, get to know the book editors. Sit at their tables and talk with them about your plans for a book.

By participating in writer conferences you get to know the cutting edge trends of the publishing industry. For example, you may get an idea of how to get your book in Kindle format.

Conferences that feature panels of editors usually inform you about trends in publishing. How has amazon.com changed the landscape of opportunities for book writers. Panel discussions tend to bring out more current and more candid perspectives than you find in print.